The Hermit Warbler 



is never easy; and if it was in this instance, Mr. Carriger has justified 

 his reputation by picking Hermits' nests out of tree-tops, where the laity 

 see only irresolvable greenery. In March, 1914, Mr. Milton S. Ray 

 reported a set taken May 14, 1913 (near Fyffe, of course), as the "first 

 to be found containing five eggs." Unfortunately, a northern collector, 

 Mr. J. H. Bowles, had already taken three sets of five, the first of which, 

 taken June 11, 1905, had been twice published. 1 



Although by no means confined to Fyffe, the breeding range of the 

 Hermit Warbler is, without doubt, very restricted. The bird is absent 

 from vast stretches which would seem to be perfectly suited to its needs ; 

 and, in general, we may hazard the guess that the species, in obedience 



Taken in Eldorado County 



Photo by Oluf J. Heinemann 

 Use by courtesy Milton S. Ray and "The Condor" 



NEST AND EGGS OF HERMIT WARBLER 



to that strange hyperborizing instinct which the retreating ice left as 

 its peculiar legacy, is gradually deserting California for more northern 

 climes. The occasional occurrence of the bird in winter, as along the 

 Monterey coast, may be cited in support of this "northward trend." 



Wide Condor, Vol. VIII., March, 1906, p. 41, and "The Birds oj Washington " p. 196 (1909). 



494 



